Nov 8, 2025; Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA; Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi (10) passes the ball as Nashville SC midfielder Alex Muyl (19) and midfielder Edvard Tagseth (20) defend during the second half at Chase Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Major League Soccer To Change Calendar Starting in 2027

Major League Soccer is set for one of the biggest changes in its history. The MLS league owners have voted to overhaul the competition calendar beginning in the summer of 2027. The league, which currently runs from February to December, will move to a summer-to-spring format. Notably, the move comes as MLS looks to align itself with major football leagues around the world.

Under the revised structure, the MLS season will officially kick off in mid-July and run through April, with the playoffs and MLS Cup staged in May. A winter break will also be introduced from mid-December to early or mid-February. It will ensure that no league matches take place in January. Additional breaks will also be built in during June and July to avoid clashes with major international tournaments.

Commissioner Don Garber called the decision “one of the most important in our league’s history”. Garber emphasised that the move will help MLS clubs engage more effectively in global transfer markets and elevate the league’s long-term ambitions.

Also Read: Laporta Dismisses Messi Return Rumours, Calls Barcelona Comeback “Unrealistic”

New Major League Soccer Calendar To Begin in 2027

The league will still operate under its current February–December schedule in 2026. MLS will then hold a shortened transition season from February to May 2027 featuring:

A 14-game regular season
A playoff format
An MLS Cup
The results of that mini-season will determine qualification for competitions such as the U.S. Open Cup, Canadian Championship, Leagues Cup and CONCACAF Champions Cup.

A new calendar for a global league.

Beginning in 2027, Major League Soccer will adopt a summer-to-spring season format — a historic evolution in the league’s competition calendar.

Details: https://t.co/YOlzd4oGDB pic.twitter.com/JYzdkKX01o
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 13, 2025

Also Read: EURO 2028: All You Need to Know

One of the major concerns raised during the calendar review involved northern clubs, such as Toronto FC and CF Montreal, whose outdoor stadiums face harsh winter conditions. Garber acknowledged the issue but noted that 91% of matches will still occur within familiar weather windows. Scheduling adjustments will be made to limit cold-weather home dates where possible.

In another major shift, MLS owners voted to adopt a traditional single-table format for the regular season, ending the long-standing use of Eastern and Western Conferences. According to league research, 92% of fans supported the change, which brings MLS closer to the formats used by top European leagues.

With 30 clubs now in the league, MLS continues to evolve rapidly. The 2027 calendar shift represents the next step in its ambition to stand among the world’s elite competitions. The league is currently finalizing the transition plan with the MLS Players Association and considering further adjustments to playoff structures.

Major League Soccer

MLS

MLS 2025

Abhinav Goel

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I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.